Discourse on the Finding of the Honorable Relic of Saint Euphemia (Constantine, Bishop of Tios)

Introduction

The following Discourse on the Finding of the Honorable Relic of Saint Euphemia was written by Constantine, Bishop of Tios, at the request of George, Bishop of Amastris. The work recounts the remarkable history of the relic of Saint Euphemia, from its removal from Chalcedon during the Iconoclastic persecution, its casting into the sea and miraculous recovery on the island of Lemnos, to its eventual return to Constantinople in 796, during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son Constantine VI and the patriarchate of Saint Tarasios. Constantine composed the account sometime in the late eighth or early ninth century, probably near the beginning of the ninth century, although the precise date is uncertain. His purpose is not merely historical: by recounting the miracles associated with the relic, and especially the Saint’s miraculous confirmation of the Orthodox faith at the Synod of Chalcedon, he presents its recovery as another manifestation of divine providence and a vindication of the Orthodox veneration of the relics of Saints.

A Discourse by Constantine, Most Holy Bishop of Tios, on the Finding of the Honorable Relic of the Holy and Most Renowned Martyr Euphemia, as Proposed by George, Most Holy Bishop of Amastris.

Prologue

1. I have come bearing the command, O most holy Father, lover of every good desire and guide of my own humble person, having taken courage from your holy prayers. For I am not capable of undertaking this task, being unlearned and filled with every kind of rusticity, but, fearing that the penalty of disobedience is always perilous and that failure to carry out a fatherly command is harmful, I have taken courage from your most excellent prayers. Writing, therefore, what I have heard from devout men and all that I have seen with my own eyes, I have undertaken to set down the exile and removal of the relic of the most renowned martyr Euphemia, its discovery and translation, and the account thereof, so that another generation may come to know the great deeds of God, which the all-good God, who has governed all things from the beginning and continues to do so even now and beyond, never ceases to accomplish, to the glory and praise of those who fear Him, and to the defeat and shame of those who dare to bark against His glory and against His Saints.

Homily for the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord (St. Sergius Mechev)

 

Homily for the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord

By Holy Hieromartyr Sergius Mechev

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!

There are two understandings of the feasts of the Church and two attitudes toward them: a worldly one and a spiritual one. The worldly understanding consists in thinking that we must not forget events that took place in ancient times, and that we gather in church on these days in order to “remember” them. Such an attitude toward the feasts is the fruit of an “ideological,” or merely conceptual, understanding of Christianity.

For those who understand Christianity in this way, Christianity is reduced to certain religious and moral ideas about which one can speak, which one can accept intellectually, and with which one can even become fired up for a time.

This “ideological” understanding of Christianity is a condemnation against us; it kills true Christian life within us. The worst thing for us would be to be called ideological Christians. Therefore, we must struggle against this “ideological” character in Christianity, overcome it within ourselves if it is present in us, and strive for another understanding of Christianity, a spiritual one.

The Chapel of Saint Ariadne in the Nisimos Plateau of Crete

 

On the Nisimos Plateau in Lasithi, on its southwestern side, stands the country chapel of Saint Ariadne.

The small church was built in 1995 by the dentist Emmaneul N. Spanakis, as is also recorded on a marble plaque set into the western exterior wall, beside its entrance.

Constructed of local stone, it stands out against the expansive plateau, which is lush green during the winter months and dry during the summer.

The church is single-naved and barrel-vaulted, as prescribed by the architectural tradition of churches in Crete. Its interior is simple and has no iconostasis. The sanctuary is separated from the nave by low marble panels.

Saint Eumenios the Bishop of Gortyna in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

1. Saint Eumenios (who lived during the seventh century A.D.) subjected himself from his youth to rigorous spiritual ascetic practices, to such an extent that, by the grace of God, he attained profound humility. For this reason, the Church entrusted him with the episcopate of the Church of Gortyna. On one occasion, the Saint burned with torches a most fearsome dragon that charged against him. From the Church of Gortyna in Crete he went to Rome, which he illumined like a torch with his divine teachings and astonished by the multitude of his miracles. From there he descended to the Thebaid of Egypt, which, even without his own intention, he saved from the affliction of drought. There he departed peacefully to the Lord, while the inhabitants of Thebes sent his holy body back to his homeland. Raxos, moreover, is the name of the place that possesses his venerable body, just as the same place also possesses the venerable body of Saint Cyril.

Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: September 18

The Month of September

Day 18

19. Why the Lord Teaches Us to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven by the Narrow Way

(From the Life of Saint Eumenios, Bishop of Gortyna)

The Lord teaches us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven by the narrow way. “Strive,” He says, “to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24). Why, then, does He teach us this? Because only the narrow way can lead us to Paradise, whereas the broad way, that is, attachment to the world, leads to forgetfulness of God and to perdition. From what is this evident? From what is said in the Life of Saint Eumenios, Bishop of Gortyna. And what does it say there? This:

“It is necessary to go to Heaven by the narrow way that leads to Heaven, listening to the Lord who says: ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate.’ This means that, in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is necessary to lay aside two heavy burdens—possessions and the flesh. And to lay aside possessions means to distribute them to the poor, knowing that ‘it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God’ (Luke 18:24). And indeed, can anyone burdened by attachment to wealth pass through the narrow gate indicated by the Lord? Certainly no one. What did the Lord counsel the young man who asked Him about eternal life? ‘If you wish,’ He said, ‘to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven’ (Matthew 19:21). And indeed, can one who serves Mammon also serve the Lord? And how can one burdened by the weight of riches pass through the narrow doors of heaven? Obviously, under such conditions he cannot pass through them, any more than a camel can pass through the eye of a needle. Just as one who wishes to pass through a narrow space ordinarily removes from himself not only his load but even his clothing, so one who desires to be in heaven gives to the poor not only his surplus of temporal possessions, as a heavy burden, but even what he himself needs, striving to imitate the Lord.”

Homily for the Commemoration of the Martyrs Faith, Hope, and Love and Their Mother Sophia (Fr. Daniel Sysoev)

Homily for the Commemoration of the Martyrs Faith, Hope, and Love and Their Mother Sophia

By Fr. Daniel Sysoev

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!

I congratulate you all on the commemoration of the martyrs Faith, Hope, and Love and their mother Sophia! They suffered in Rome in the second century. The eldest daughter, Faith, was twelve years old; Hope was nine, and the youngest, Love, was seven. Their mother Sophia named them after the Christian virtues. They courageously confessed Christ before their persecutors and tyrants and showed that they were true sufferers for Christ, conquerors of death. A martyr is not one who is tortured, but one who bears witness to God, conquering the world by the word of Christ. Christ is the only true way to the Heavenly Father. We know that witchcraft, magic, sorcery, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism are all evil paths that do not lead to God.

There is only one way—the way of our Lord Jesus Christ—which saves people: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11–12).

History of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Herakleides in Cyprus

It appears that the Monastery was founded during the early Byzantine period (A.D. 330–350) by pious Cypriots in honor of Saint Herakleides (Vasily Barsky), who lived in the first century and was the first Bishop of Tamasos. Apart from the Life of Saint Herakleides, we have no other information from the Byzantine period or from the periods of Frankish and Venetian rule. The Typikon of the Monastery of Machairas, written by Neilos, Bishop of Tamasos, who had previously also served as Abbot of this Monastery, does mention the founding of a women's monastery at Tamasos dedicated to the Panagia (1209); however, there is nowhere any mention of the Monastery of Saint Herakleides.

As it appears, the monastic buildings of the Monastery were completed during the period of Ottoman rule. From repairs carried out on one of the wings of the Monastery, however, it is evident that portions of it date back to the Medieval period. Nevertheless, its foundation could not have taken place during the period of Frankish rule, since there was a law prohibiting the establishment of Orthodox monasteries. It therefore follows that its foundation must have taken place in the much earlier years.

Holy Martyrs Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

1. These Saints lived during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Saint Sophia was widowed at an early age and was compelled to move to Rome with her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Love. The emperor learned that these four women were Christians, and therefore he sent men to arrest them. He first summoned the eldest sister, Faith, who was twelve years old, to give an account of herself. At first, he tried with enticing words to persuade her to deny Christ, but, of course, he did not succeed. Enraged, he ordered that she be beheaded. The emperor met with the same outcome with the other two, ten-year-old Hope and nine-year-old Love. Seeing their steadfastness as well, he again ordered that they be beheaded. Saint Sophia was not only ungrieved by what had happened, but also felt a particular pride in the faith of her daughters. Therefore, she buried them with honors, while remaining for three days at their graves, fervently beseeching the Lord to receive her also into His Kingdom. God heard her prayer, and thus Saint Sophia gave up her spirit beside her children.

Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: September 17

The Month of September

Day 17

18. On How Mothers Should Raise Their Children

(From the Life of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, and Love and Their Mother Sophia. September 17, Menaion.)

The responsibility for raising children rests primarily upon you, Christian mothers! God Himself has entrusted this responsibility to you. Look at a child: who has instilled in him such love for you that he does not hasten to anyone as he does to you, show affection to anyone as he does to you, and can hardly live without you? You will certainly agree that God Himself has placed this love within him. But why? The reason is obvious. He placed it there so that you would understand that if a child, so to speak, never leaves your side, he does not do so without reason. God Himself has commanded him not to leave you and, by this, to require of you that you keep constant watch over the development of his inclinations and understanding and that, as far as possible, you develop his spiritual and bodily faculties. Hardly anyone will dispute this truth, and I think you yourselves will agree with it. And if you agree, you will even more readily agree that the duty of raising children is a difficult one, and that not every mother is capable of fulfilling it properly.